Dallas Cowboys: 3 Bargain Free Agent Pass-Rushers
By Reid Hanson
Alex Okafor
Age: 26
Height: 6’4” Weight: 261lbs
Sacks Last Season: 3.5
Last Team: Arizona Cardinals
Alex Okafor is a player in a much different situation than the previous two. At age 26, he’s looking for a bigger deal and more playing time. Stuck behind Markus Golden and Chandler Jones, Okafor became the odd man out in Arizona. Now searching for an opportunity to shine, Dallas could be the perfect place for him to prove himself on a bigger stage.
At one point last season, Pro football Focus named him the third most productive pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker
With only 13.5 career sacks (in what amounts to a three year career), Okafor isn’t the established presence that Julius Peppers or DeMarcus Ware are. But he’s also a player in his prime who can play an extended role on a team like the Dallas Cowboys.
What makes him an “affordable” veteran free agent with major bargain potential is his injury history.
Okafor has never played an entire 16 game schedule and even when injuries didn’t keep him out of games, they clearly hampered him. He missed 15 games his rookie season, and three games the following two seasons.
Last season a torn biceps limited Alex Okafor to only 231 snaps. The good news is even with the tear, Okafor rated highly as a pass-rusher. At one point last season, Pro football Focus named him the third most productive pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker. That would have placed him with company like Von Miller, Khalil Mack, and Joey Bosa. Not bad for one arm…
Like Peppers and Ware, Okafor projects best as a 3-4 OLB. But with experience playing end in a 4-3, and a slightly larger build than suspended Cowboys RDE, Randy Gregory, the Cowboys shouldn’t have a problem working him back at his original DE position.